A surge in ant infestations in the UK has left homeowners frustrated, with videos on TikTok showing rows of insects crawling over kitchen cabinets and window sills. Experts recommend using cheap ingredients like white vinegar, cinnamon, and baking soda to manage the problem.
A surge in ant infestations amid scorching temperatures in the UK has left homeowners frustrated, with videos on TikTok showing rows of insects crawling over kitchen cabinets and window sills.
On Tuesday, as the mercury rose to 36C, TikTok user @arianavvi shared footage of flying ants in her house as she wrote: What is actually going ON with the ant infestation in the UK right now? I beg tell me it's not only my house. Similar clips posted on the social media platform revealed she isn't the only Briton dealing with these unwelcome guests that emerge from hibernation in March in search of food.
Ants are attracted to food sources, making the home an attractive environment for them to enter, pest control expert Daniel Steward told the Daily Mail. The managing director of Shield Pest Control added: To prevent ants from coming into your home, the first step is to eliminate any food sources, including ensuring that bins are properly sealed, food and drink spillages are cleaned thoroughly, and food is stored in secure containers that aren't easily accessible.
However, if they have already nested in your home, simple remedies using cheap ingredients can sometimes be just as effective as using a professional pest control service. From 35p white vinegar and £1 cinnamon to baking soda that costs less than £2, experts swear by these six pantry staples.
A surge in ant infestations amid scorching temperatures in the UK has left homeowners frustrated, with videos on TikTok showing rows of insects crawling over kitchen cabinets and window sills Similar clips posted on the social media platform reveal this is a common problem right now Peppermint oil Peppermint oil is one of the more effective natural deterrents for ants, with tea tree oil also sometimes used, Daniel told the Daily Mail. This is because peppermint oil contains menthol, which interferes with ants' ability to follow pheromone trails.
Because ants rely heavily on these chemical signals for navigation, strong volatile compounds like menthol can disrupt their tracking and make treated areas less appealing or more difficult to navigate. Tea tree oil has a similarly strong aroma and may also deter ants, affecting their tracking ability, he explained. While these oils are not a permanent solution, consistent use can discourage ants from returning to treated areas.
The best way to use these scents is to create a simple spray by adding a few drops of oil to a bottle filled with around 200-300ml of water and shaking well before use. This mixture can then be lightly applied to areas where ants are commonly seen, such as door frames, windowsills, skirting boards and corners of rooms. Reapplication is typically needed every few days or after cleaning, since the scent naturally fades over time.
White vinegar Another cheap and effective way to combat ant infestations is to spray white vinegar directly onto surfaces and entry points, like doors and windows. Ants navigate by following scent trails left by other ants, Mosh Latifi, the co-owner of EcoCare Pest Management, explained. The pungent odour of white vinegar destroys those trails instantly and they will not cross it.
It is in most people's cupboards already and it costs pennies, Daniel also recommends wiping down all kitchen surfaces with a solution of white vinegar and water. Chalk or talcum powder According to Mosh, drawing a chalk line or sprinkling talcum powder across any entry points creates a barrier they will not cross. Nobody knows exactly why it works, but it does, and it is about as cheap as it gets, he said.
Cinnamon This pantry staple can also help dispel ants from your home, with Mosh telling the Daily Mail that these pesky intruders do not cross trails of sprinkled cinnamon. It sounds too simple, but it genuinely works and smells a lot better than most shop-bought sprays, he added.
However, there is a right - and wrong - way to use cinnamon for pest control. TikTok videos suggest mopping your floor with a mix of cinnamon and water, but experts advise against this. When you mix water with dried cinnamon, the reddish-brown colour is released from the powder, which can leave stains and brown smears all over your floor long after the summer months.
Instead, try placing a cinnamon stick or sprinkling small amounts of dry, powdered cinnamon near the points where ants are entering your home. Baking soda and icing sugar This might sound counterintuitive, but Mosh also swears by a mixture of baking soda and icing sugar to manage an ant infestation. This is because the icing sugar attracts them, and the baking soda kills them.
It is cheap, safe around children and pets, and works on the colony rather than just the individuals you can see, Mosh said. Boiling water If you can find the nest, pouring boiling water directly into it is the most effective free solution available, Mosh said
UK Ant Infestations Scorching Temperatures Tiktok White Vinegar Cinnamon Baking Soda Peppermint Oil Tea Tree Oil
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